Lonesome Boatman Cruises To Cork Success
Sean Allen's Lonesome Boatman was a popular regional winner of the Paddy Power Cork Grand National.
The nine-year-old was an 8-1 possibility under Darragh O'Keeffe for the three-and-a-half-mile Listed occasion and dominated from the front from the outset, maintaining the gallop to dominate by 6 lengths.
The victory was well received by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a little local clothing based only 40 minutes away from the track.
Allen stated: "That is astounding! Darragh rode the horse in Punchestown (last May) and put this race to us. We knocked the cobwebs off him at Listowel in September as you would not desire to be concerning this race without a run.
"Today was the plan and the man on his back - what can I say, he was brave as a lion everywhere. Even when he was five or 6 lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The plan was to go a gallop and he was truly on-song.
"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my regional course. I have 8 horses and my sibling Darragh, who is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have a lot of regional assistance too."
Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)
Regarding plans, the fitness instructor quipped: "Pints will be drunk and we'll discuss it then!".
Darragh O'Keeffe delighted in a treble on the card, with his first winner being Mister Pessimistic in department among the Paddy Power From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Maiden Hurdle.
A point-to-point and bumper winner, the four-year-old was a 4-11 favourite to maintain his and was simply under three lengths too helpful for Grey Jude, leaving trainer Henry de Bromhead considering an action up to Grade One level.
De Bromhead stated: "He is a lovely young horse, did it perfectly in the end and the second horse is a good horse too. I got worried after his mistake at the second-last however he leapt the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually not done anything incorrect so hopefully he'll keep progressing.
"There aren't lots of choices throughout Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One amateur over 2 miles. I think nice ground is necessary to him."
De Bromhead and O'Keeffe likewise collaborated to land the Paddy Power 'Did You Watch The Breeders Cup At All' Mares Maiden Hurdle with 6-5 favourite Echoing Silence.
Declan Queally struck Listed gold as Tackletommywoowoo landed the Paddy Power "The number of Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.
The trainer stated: "He has actually come on a lot and while it is a little challenging to settle him, it isn't an enormous task and when I spoke with Sean (O'Keeffe) beforehand, he knew precisely what I desired. You just have to add to heels and then offer him the reins, and Sean rode a charming race.
"The horse was purchased for small money and well done to JD Moore who discovered him for us. He had been placed in bumpers for a smaller trainer in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the strategy was simply to win a race with him.
"He'll get a few pounds in the handicap now but in some cases with a horse like this, there is nothing wrong with having a high ranking as you can box away racing in smaller fields and choose up money."
Eoin Griffin's Ol Man Dingle was the winner of the the Grade Three Paddy Power Betting Shops Irish EBF Novice Chase, scoring at 11-4 under rider Ricky Doyle.
"I put the tongue-tie back on Ol Man Dingle today - he doesn't need it but I wasn't taking any chances. Ricky gave him a beautiful trip, the horse has fantastic scope but can be a little brave," stated Griffin.
"This horse will get an entry for the Drinmore now and while I understand Willie's (Mullins, champion trainer) horses have yet to reappear, to start with we'll delight in today and fret about that later on."